One man down, but Paraguay thumps Brazil

Page Tools

Ten-man Paraguay, fielding their under-23 team, stunned Brazil 2-1 in the Copa America today while Costa Rica snatched a quarter-final place by beating Chile by the same score with the last kick of the game.

The world champions had already qualified for the last eight but their shock defeat in Arequipa deprived them of first place in group C and condemned them to a 2,000-km trip north to face Mexico in Piura on Sunday.

A draw would have given them top spot and a 360-km journey to play Uruguay in Tacna.

Instead, Fredy Bareiro's second-half winner means Paraguay will take on Uruguay, who are enjoying a revival after some disastrous performances in the World Cup qualifiers.

Striker Andy Herron's goal in the fourth minute of injury time earned Costa Rica a place as one of the two best third-placed teams and a tie against Colombia in Trujillo on Saturday.

Hosts Peru, still sulking after media reports last week accused two players of a drinking binge, complete the line-up against Argentina in Chiclayo on Saturday.

AdvertisementAdvertisement

Peru's players continued their media silence in Trujillo and again trained behind closed doors.

Paraguay are using the Copa as a warm-up for the Olympic soccer tournament, which is restricted to under-23 teams, and although Brazil rested the likes of Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Kaka and Ronaldinho, their team still boasts plenty of world class players.

An easy Brazil win was expected but Paraguay, who have made a habit of upsetting their biggest neighbours recently, had other ideas as Julio Gonzalez headed them in front in the 28th minute.

Luis Fabiano restored order with a brilliant equaliser seven minutes later, controlling the ball on his chest and rifling a right foot shot into the top corner on the turn.

But Brazil failed to capitalise and Bareiro slipped the ball through goalkeeper Julio Cesar's legs in the 71st minute after controlling Fabio Escobar's header on his chest.

Paraguay, who only created three chances in the game, survived the last 16 minutes with 10 men after defender Emilio Martinez was sent off for retaliation on Gustavo Nery.

"It's difficult to explain," said Luis Fabiano after a result reminiscent of their 2-0 quarter-final defeat by Honduras at the last Copa America in Colombia. "It wasn't our day."

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said: "We know that Paraguay are very effective with the high ball and once again this has worked for them. We paid dearly for failing to defend ourselves against something that we knew was coming."

Paraguay have won two of their last five meetings with Brazil with another game drawn, an impressive performance given the huge gulf in size and footballing tradition between the two nations.

They also qualified for Athens at Brazil's expense, beating them 1-0 in the final Olympic qualifier.

Paraguay coach Carlos Jara Saguier said: "My players did an excellent job of organising themselves and snapping up the chances that came their way.

"What more can you ask?"

Chile had been favourites to complete the quarter-final line-up in Tacna and were on course when defender Rafael Olarra headed them ahead after 29 minutes.

But they left the field shell-shocked after Mauricio Wright equalised in the 59th minute and Herron snatched a dramatic winner.